SK Orders Striking Docs To Return To Work

South Korea officially ordered thousands of striking doctors to return to work immediately, a move that could result in legal consequences if the doctors fail to end their walkouts.

Approximately 7,800 medical interns and residents in South Korea walked off their jobs this week to protest the government's plan to recruit more medical students. I Photo: Yonhap News Agency

The strike has caused numerous cancellations of surgeries and other medical treatments at hospitals, as reported by Hyung-jin Kim for the Associated Press (AP).

Approximately 7,800 medical interns and residents in South Korea walked off their jobs this week to protest the government's plan to recruit more medical students. The government aims to increase the nationwide medical school admissions cap by 2,000 from next year in anticipation of South Korea's rapidly aging population.

However, doctors' groups oppose the plan, citing concerns about the quality of education and potential increases in public medical expenses.

The Korean Intern Residents Association criticized the additional admissions as "nonsensical," urging the government to reconsider its plan. The walkouts have disrupted hospital operations, with complaints filed over delayed surgeries and cancellations of medical treatments. South Korea currently has 140,000 doctors.

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